Cultural policy in dance: the embodiment of Jewish tradition in early childhood dance education in Israel

Abstract

Teaching dance in early childhood education in the national-religious community (NRC) is a relatively new phenomenon in Israeli society. This article describes teaching practices that religious dance teachers create and use to bridge the divide between Jewish tradition and dance. The research is based on an ethnographic observation of dance classes in schools. Through analysis of a typical class, this article illustrates how the teachers have formed a unique dance class structure: the dance midrash.

Keywords:

• National-religious community
• early childhood
• dance education
• Jewish tradition
• Midrash, pedagogical practices

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to Lauren Erdreich for research assistance and ongoing inspiration.

Notes

1. Under his influence the Zionist movement actively supported the establishment of educational and cultural institutions.

2. Kook, “Orot HaKodesh”.

3. Gutel, Chinuch LeEmuna.

4. Ahituv, Al Gevul Hatmura.

5. Dagan, Lebel Menachem.

6. Dagan et al., Guideline for the State Religious.

7. Avihail, “Omanut mitoch Emuna.”

8. Ministry of Education and Culture, Policy Applicable to Preschools.

9. Lam, Bemaarbolet haidiologiyot.

10. Hemed Vision. https://cms.education.gov.il/EducationCMS/Units/hemed

11. Gurevitch, Al Hamakom, 163–79.

12. Creswell, Research Design; Alpert et al., “The Ethnographic Research.”

13. Shkedi, Hamashmaut Meachorei.

14. Patton, Qualitative Research; Creswell, Qualitative Inquiry.

15. Huss, “Shimus Bemechkar.”

16. Ibid.

17. Huss, “Mavoh.”

18. Vaganova, Basic Principles.

19. Lobo and Winsler, “The Effect of a Creative Dance,” 503.

20. Oz, Matchilim Shipur.

21. Levitzki, “Tahalich Bniyat teorya al shmach.”

22. Derrida, Beit Hamirkachat.

23. Barthes, Mot Hashofer.

24. Baudelaire, “The Painter of Modern Life.”

25. Keun and Hunt, “Creative Dance: Singapore Children’s,” 40.

26. Eisner, “Artistry in Teaching”; Tadmor, “The Areas of Educational Culture.”

27. Vaganova, Basic Principles of Classic Ballet, 162.

28. Lalush, “Takiru et hashchuna.”

29. Jensen, Music with the Brain in Mind.

30. Gardner, Frames of Mind.

31. Tzederboim and Shefer, Dyokan shel Oman.